Motor Neurone Disease Nurse Specialist (Band 6)

Job responsibilities

JOB PURPOSE

The Nurse Specialist with other members of the multi-disciplinary team (MDT) aims to provide a specialist nursing service to patients with MND and their families/carers. They will act as the key worker, supporting patients from diagnosis to end of life. In addition the post holder will liaise with members of the broader MDT, including the Neurology Department at UHL, and other agencies such as Social Services and Community Health Teams and will provide support to other Healthcare professionals as required.

Clinical

1. Undertake home visits and complete holistic specialist needs assessments.

2. Provide specialist intervention to support patients and carers.

3. Act as a resource for the primary health care team, other specialist teams statutory organisations and voluntary organisations on issues relating to the care of patients with MND.

4. Provide a telephone advice service to patients, carers and professionals.

5. In collaboration with the multi-professional team, plan the provision of care based on a holistic needs assessment.

6. Manage nurse led MDT meetings and undertake nurse led MND clinics.

7. Liaise with other staff and departments at the Hospice, and refer to other agencies that can provide additional forms of support for example, MNDA.

8. In conjunction with other members of the Multi-disciplinary Team (MDT), monitor the progress of all MND patients.

9. Provide information to patients and carers to enable them to make informed choices regarding care.

10. Comply with the NMC code of practice and adhere to all policies and procedures of the Leicestershire & Rutland Hospice.

11. Comply with Health and Social Care Act 2008/Care Quality Commission.

12. According to LOROS Hospice Policy and where the Nurse Specialist has undergone training, prescribe medication for patients.

Education

1. Participate in any relevant training programmes for any professionals or non-professionals both within Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland and nationally and as required.

2. Participate in in-service education programmes and be responsive to external influences and new initiatives.

3. Participate in education programmes for professional visitors on placement.

4. To participate in the provision for information.

5. Attends mandatory training and is responsible for developing own personal development plan.

6. Provide co-support to team colleagues.

7 Participate in clinical supervision and reflective practice sessions.

Research & Audit

1. Participate in any multi-professional audit, which evaluates the effectiveness of the care, provided by LOROS Nurse Specialist Team.

2. Participate in and initiate multi-professional audit.

3. Be aware of new developments in the care of patients with MND and implement appropriate research based practice.

4. Keep up to date with current advances in nursing practice and research and to take responsibility for his/her own professional development (PREP) and maintaining registration.

5. Participate in the development of standards for the MND Nurse Specialists and for the wider CNS team.

Managerial

1. Be an active member of the LOROS Community Nurse Specialist Team, contributing to team initiatives and developments.

2. Contribute towards development of strategies for MND services within Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland.

3. Participate in appropriate Multi-professional meetings.

4. Demonstrate effective day to day planning through efficient management of self, caseload and resources.

5. Maintain accurate standardised electronic patient records for activity, evaluation, research and audit purposes.

6. Maintain confidentiality and conform to the Data Protection Act.

7. Comply with requirements of the Health and safety at Work Act and comply with risk assessments monitoring and maintaining health, safety and security of self and others.

GENERAL:

All staff are subject to Equal Opportunities Legislation, the Data Protection Act and LOROS Confidentiality Policy.

To carry out and comply with the prevention and control of infection as per LOROS policies and procedures.

All staff are subject to LOROS policies, procedures and conditions of service, with reference to the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

Take reasonable care for the health and safety of themselves and of other persons who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work.

Co-operate with their employer as far as is necessary to meet the requirements of the legislation.

All staff should be aware of and aim to contribute to LOROS Vision and Mission and also strive to exhibit the Values & Behaviours at all times (see attached document).

The contents of this job description are not exhaustive and may be amended in accordance with the needs of the service after discussion with the post holder whose agreement will not be unreasonably withheld.

Motivation and Personal Attributes

Essential

• Able to contribute towards LOROS values and behaviours
• Team working,
• MDT and/or other team working
• Evidence of innovation, flexibility and enthusiasm
• Able to set realistic goals for self
• Car driver/access to a car
• Flexible to cover the needs of the service
• Ability to promote LOROS and its services to external stakeholders

Desirable

• Initiated and lead on projects/ideas and carry them through

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered nurse - Adult
• Evidence of study at degree level
• Willing to undertake training specific to the role

Desirable

• Relevant Degree
• Teaching qualification
• Non medical prescribing qualification

Knowledge

Essential

• Awareness of needs of patients and families with Motor neurone Disease / Neurological conditions
• Evidence of continued professional development.

Desirable

• Knowledge of how working in the community effects patients care

Skills/Abilities

Essential

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Leadership potential
• Involvement in Audit and Change Management.
• Awareness of impact of audit and research on practice.
• IT literate

Desirable

• Advanced communication skills
• Advance care planning training
• Experience of using electronic patient records

Experience

Essential

• Significant post-registration/proven experience at band 5 or above in relevant setting.

Desirable

• Community experience
• Experience of caring for people with a neurological disease
• Palliative care experience
• Teaching experience

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).